Ep. 12: Proper Traffic Pattern Entry | Non-towered airports

Here we will walk you through how you should approach a non-towered airport, how to identify left or right traffic for the runway you wish to use, and all of the radio calls you need to make as you approach the field.

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Lesson Objective:
Be able to understand and explain what type of traffic (left or right) will be flown for a particular runway, and understand how to maneuver the aircraft into the proper position to enter the traffic pattern.

Completion Standards:
The student will describe the proper procedures to the instructor, make all appropriate radio calls, and maneuver the aircraft for a proper pattern entry to a landing at the airport.

[MrSam-dbvw]

That’s what I like about your videos not just simple and informative, but more visual for visualize people like me on map and on real ❤

[pilotblue]

Interesting comment regarding your flaps, once down - "leave alone" (6:57). I was taught when you were securely down take out the flaps, as your want as much weight on the wheels and less chance of lift (wind gust or other aircraft) as the standard procedure. Maybe because I learned at an active airport (on Cherokees).

[VGreggUndercover]

So very helpful! What did student pilots do without YouTube...

[johnrltr]

Rather than heading out over the water to set up for a 45 entry I would just continue my heading while overflying, then, about two miles past the field, make a nice and easy 180 for a straight-in landing. Much simpler. When you say "we know how we have to enter the pattern" I think that may be a misperception. Straight-in landings are not prohibited, and in this scenario may well be the better option. Oh--I do want to say I think you have some of the very best avi vids on youtube; thank you.

[kimberlywentworth]

I am a new student pilot and I had trouble centering the aircraft on the runway. I was off to the left of the white line and had to make corrections as I was using the nose of the plane to center on the runway with difficulty. You stated to center it between your legs. I am going to try this. Wow. I think that will make it easier to center the aircraft on the white line.

[AngryBirdRedXD]

Appreciate this video 👍 Going to be practicing traffic pattern at a non-tower airport eventually and talking on radios is my weakness lol.

[curtisb]

This pattern entry as depicted in the video is what an aircraft could use if you are coming from the opposite side of the airport from where the traffic pattern is, such as from the east. However in the example given, the airplane is coming from the N/NW. In this case, there is no need for the maneuver where you turn out to the NW for 2 miles, not just half a mile. (essential if you are crossing 500 ft above the TPA, something everyone in my area seems to forget - I see people cross 500-800 ft over TPA then start a "teardrop" almost right away) Rather, if you are coming from the NW, swing out a bit further west while still 5-10 NM from the airport, descend to TPA while you are about 2 miles out on the 45, then enter the pattern. An aircraft operating commercially would never fly a pattern like this, it's a big time waster. Likewise, even if you are coming from the east, if the airport is not busy, cross mid-field, or over the DER at TPA, and enter the downwind. This is the other method shown in the AIM, and there is a time to use both entry methods. And why are we overflying the field if there is an ASOS? That just adds to the congestion. (15year CFII)

[gregwilliams]

Man I love this video!! I’m 15 hours into training and this is super helpful!

[gerryortiz]

Great info however one part I’m not too keen on is I wouldnt be telling my students if their too high to pull back extra vs power to idle. They are learning the fundamentals pitch for airspeed power for altitude. I would be more concerned about my student stalling low and slow vs shock cooling which is deemed to be a myth or at any case less likely. I have my students focus on keeping their airspeed stabilized at the approach speed and use other methods such as flaps, power reduction, slips, sturns in that order.

[rolandbaranov]

Excellent videos thanks very much, let me clarify that in the pattern indicator marker what appears an L is not a letter, the short arm is the Traffic Pattern Indicator (the direction we should be coming in on base) and the long arm is the Landing Strip Indicator (final).

[daffidavit]

As a primary flight instructor for many years, I have no objections to anything you said during this short tutorial. I also like that you emphasized not to touch anything until the aircraft has turned off the runway. Additionally, I like that you lifted the wing and looked both ways for traffic before you made your turn.
If anything, in order to lose altitude on a high final, a little trick I've used is to point the nose down with full flaps so long as the airspeed does not exceed the top of the white arc on the airspeed indicator, rather than bringing the nose up to lose altitude. With full flaps, you will fall like a rock and bleed off airspeed very quickly when you raise the nose.
Also, there is no prohibition in Cessnas when slipping with full flaps, although it's usually unnecessary.

[jqvist]

i really like your in cockpit training - easy to follow - remind me of my instructor back in the day!!!

[peteralan]

Your intro landing: What is the thing hanging off your nosewheel and is the wheel supposed to turn 90 degrees perpendicular in an instant at landing?

[shocktrooper]

Not 'throwing rocks' here...but I've struggled (at times) in the pattern to clearly hear and understand voice transmissions (intentions) that are spoken so quickly. Some of us fly really 'loud cockpits'( re; S2L sport plane) and even with noise cancelling headsets, really fast comms. are often hard to understand. No cause to speak like a sloth, but no need to bark at the speed of a machine gun either...just my 2 cents. I am not alone on this one. No disrespect intended. ;-) Otherwise a very good and informative training vid. Thanks for posting.

[jshepard]

Thanks for making these videos. They're a big help to me in advance of flight training.

[brandond]

I always add flaps during the turn to base. Its how I was taught.

[aero_pilot]

hey, i noticed something hanging possibly from the nose wheel like the metal tenon . Because, when the nose wheel touched the runway, the nose wheel spun all over the place like a bad wheel on a shopping cart

[jtthill]

In all of your radio calls is it required that you speak as fast and garbled as possible?
The only parts understandable is Venice traffic and runway number.

[RichiePeplin]

Great video as always. Question for you on descent. Sounds like you’re starting descent on downwind. That’s how I was taught too. There’s a counter opinion on that for traffic visibility reasons we should not start to descend until base leg. What are your thoughts on why we should start descending on downwind vs waiting until base?

[musikismylife]

As someone starting out learning - how can you tell the left and right traffic for the runways from the windsock @2:26 - I don't see how he got that information